The council deferred this item at the Aug. 26 meeting, but Fischer brought this to the council’s attention on Aug. 13, citing issues such as workload, efficiency and customer service as reasons to consider the shift.

Roswell’s courts will now be reorganized with the clerks working under the private company, Jacobs Group, which already handles court services for Sandy Springs and Brookhaven. It comes with glowing recommendations from both cities, Fischer said.

“I have heard from churches and other people in the community about how exceptional our court services are as far as empathy and compassion,” said Councilmember Nancy Diamond. “I just want to make sure that is a priority because that is a level of service we aren’t willing to give up.”

Fischer assured the council that Jacobs understands the quality of services to the citizens will remain the same as it is today.

Three positions in total will be eliminated, and Fischer predicts about $30,000 in savings to the city.

The council also unanimously approved the resolution to hold a special election for the chief Municipal Court judge on May 20, 2014.

City Attorney David Davidson said this was one of two resolutions that will cost the city much less money because May 20 is the day of the general primary.

If the council decided to hold the election on March 20, Davidson said it would have cost the city about $150,000 to $200,000, because it is not a state-run election.